Habakkuk

By Mary Jane Chaignot

Like his predecessor, little is known about Habakkuk apart from his book in which he is mentioned twice. Scholars aren't even sure how to pronounce his name, nor do they know what it means. They think his name is the Hebrew form of an Assyrian word meaning plant, but that is not very helpful. Since the three short chapters of his prophetic material conclude with a hymn, some have suggested that perhaps Habakkuk served in the Temple or that he was from a priestly family. Indeed, the name figures prominently in the apocryphal book, Bel and the Dragon, which is one of three addendums to the book of Daniel. Another legend connects him to being the son of the Shunammite woman, or that he was one of the watchmen referred to by Isaiah. Truth is, however, nothing is known for sure about this prophet, where he came from or even when he preached.

Scholars generally associate him with the time of Nahum, possibly a bit later. Habakkuk refers to the "rise of the Chaldeans," who were probably the early Babylonians. That would date his work to a period of time after the fall of Nineveh – 612 BCE – but before the fall of Jerusalem 587 BCE. This would have been the time of Judah's last hurrah. With Assyria finally out of the picture, Judah enjoyed a few decades of great prosperity, while the international powers put their energies into reorganizing. Habakkuk, then, witnessed a change in conditions going from excellent and filled with great promise to desperate as the Babylonians turned their attention towards Jerusalem.

Habakkuk was quite unique among the prophets in that he not only spoke God's message to the people, but he also spoke to God about his people. The first part of his prophecy is a dialogue in which Habakkuk questions God. He understood that God's people had long ago broken the covenantal agreement with the Lord. But as a man of deep faith, he could not understand why God had not arisen to rectify the situation, particularly since he had prayed diligently for change. In fact, it seemed as though the wicked were triumphant and the prayers of the righteous were in vain.

God's response that he would use the Chaldeans as his instruments of justice raised more questions than it answered. Habakkuk acknowledged the evil doings of the people, but even their worst sins paled in comparison to those of the Chaldeans. How could a good God solve a bad situation by making it worse? God's answer that all evil would be overcome only partially resolved Habakkuk's dilemma. He took comfort in the good news that a righteous remnant would survive. On this basis, Habakkuk was able to sing a hymn of prayer and praise at the end of his prophecy. He was never told when or how this would all take place.

God's response that he would use the Chaldeans as his instruments of justice raised more questions than it answered. Habakkuk acknowledged the evil doings of the people, but even their worst sins paled in comparison to those of the Chaldeans. How could a good God solve a bad situation by making it worse? God's answer that all evil would be overcome only partially resolved Habakkuk's dilemma. He took comfort in the good news that a righteous remnant would survive. On this basis, Habakkuk was able to sing a hymn of prayer and praise at the end of his prophecy. He was never told when or how this would all take place.

The truths learned from Habakkuk also had value for New Testament writers. Paul was among the first to quote Habakkuk (2:4) -- in Romans 1:17 and Galatians 3:11-12 -- using that core message that the righteous will live by faith. In so doing, he found Old Testament support for his own message of salvation by faith. The writer of Hebrews also echoed these thoughts and Martin Luther's adaptation of them is legendary.

The book is generally divided into three sections. The first is a dialogue with God, 1:1-2:4. The second is a series of five woe oracles, 2:5-20, and the third is a hymn of prayer and praise, 3:1-19.

Dialogue with God 1:1-2:4

1:1

Introduction

The oracle of God that Habakkuk saw

1:2-4

Habakkuk's initial lament

How long must I call for help; but you do not hear

He sees evil all around

Evil is rampant; justice never prevails

Evil has learned to subvert the law meant to curb it

It is perverted

1:5-11

God's first response

Announcement of God's judgment against his people for their sins

Not only is God about to act, but he identifies the nation through which he will act – the Chaldeans

Habakkuk is to know this is not an accident of history

Obviously this is hard for Habakkuk to believe

1:6-11

Description of Chaldean (Babylonian) army

They are invincible, ruthless

Army is compared to three predators: leopard, wolf, and eagle

All bring violent death to their prey

Violence has become a way of life for them

Yet, they are guilty men, whose strength is their god

God will allow them to flourish for a while, but they will become intoxicated by their own power. Then God will intervene

God's response is not exactly what Habakkuk hoped to hear

1:12-2:1

Habakkuk's second lament

He heard the words, but they don't make sense to him

How can God appoint a nation to punish one who is more righteous than the punishing nation?

The questions become more urgent

Begins with an affirmation of faith

He knows that God is from everlasting, the Holy One

He knows that God can choose a foreign nation as his instrument of judgment

He does not know how God, who is of purer eyes than to behold evil, can stand by silently while evil runs unchecked

1:14-20

Presses his argument with metaphor of fish

Countrymen are like fish swimming aimlessly, without direction

(That's how God made them)

Chaldeans are like fishing boats

Captain gathers up the fish, rejoices in his catch

Fish are helpless against his powerful boat and nets

Question: Does he get to fish indefinitely?

2:1

Habakkuk takes his stand and awaits God's response

2:2-4

God's second response

Tells him to write the vision

A full answer is coming (that's His answer)

If it seems slow, wait for it

It will surely come; it will not delay

Habakkuk wanted to know right then; God will act in His own time

In the mean time, the righteous must live by faith

Habakkuk was living in the time between promise and fulfillment

Must learn patience and trust in a God who grants fulfillment

Five Woe Oracles 2:5-20

Addressed to the arrogant man – most likely the Babylonian emperor Ultimate message is that sin is doomed to destruction God is still in control

2:6-8

First message

Ruler is compared to unscrupulous money lender

He plunders nations but eventually he will be plundered

Day will come when the instrument of judgment is judged

2:9-11

Second message

Woe to the person who builds his house in a high but unprotected place

Search for security but their behaviour can only lead to loss of security

Nothing they can do will be able to secure themselves

2:12-14

Third message

Woe to him who builds a town on blood and iniquity

Babylonians were trying to build an empire that would cover the earth

Habakkuk has a different vision: The earth will be filled with the knowledge of the glory of the Lord, as the waters cover the sea.

2:15-17

Fourth message

Woe to those who through drunken orgies bring shame upon themselves

They will reap contempt, not glory

The Lord's cup will be theirs to drink

Those who act violently will reap violence

Those who terrorize will feel terror

2:18-19

Fifth Woe

Woe to those who practice idolatry

Idols can be fashioned of metal, overlaid with gold or silver

Nonetheless, they are man's creation!

What's to be gained from worshiping the work of one's own handiwork?

2:20

The Lord is in His temple

In contrast to impotent idols, the Lord rests in His temple

The earth must wait upon the Lord

A Hymn of Prayer and Praise 3:1-19

3:1-2

Introduction

Hymn of Habakkuk

He remembers the Lord's name and His past deeds

Prays to make them known again

3:3-15

Vision of God in which enemies are defeated

God's glory covered the heavens and his praise filled the earth

His glory was like the sunrise

God's power is revealed in judgment -- plagues, pestilence

His power covers the earth – earthquakes and volcanic upheavals

He is lord over rivers and streams

He created the sun and moon and controls their order

Interruption of created order accompanies judgment

Purpose of His coming will be to crush the leader of the land of wickedness

He is angry with the nations' abuse of power

He will deliver His people, save His anointed

3:16-19

Habakkuk's response

After thinking all this through, Habakkuk has reason to rejoice

Even if deliverance is delayed, he is convinced it will happen

That assurance enables him to wait with patience

Agricultural prosperity is dependent on adherence to covenant

Judah forfeited its prosperity through disloyalty and disobedience

Habakkuk understands judgment is inevitable

But he also knows after judgment will be restoration

God has all events under his control

This understanding will enable Habakkuk to endure afflictions

Because of the covenant he could rejoice in the Lord

God's presence is real and dear to him

Perhaps for some the questions remain; God's answers might not have been all that satisfactory. But this much is clear: life does have its share of problems and doubts. Like Habakkuk, when we're challenged, we struggle to resolve our problems. Questioning God is not a sign of weakness, but rather an opportunity for growth. Both Job and Habakkuk learned a lot about God from their experiences, and did not shrink from their questions. At the end, they had a better understanding of the Almighty and an unshakeable conviction that God was in charge. That brought great comfort and assurance. The major difference, however, is that for Habakkuk, the outward circumstances had not yet changed. Nonetheless, he was able to rejoice and feel real joy – in spite of the devastating things that he knew were still to come. The vision that he had regarding God's coming was enough to sustain him. It is a powerful message for anyone still in the in-between time – the time between promise and fulfillment.